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Were We Out of Line With Any of These FreePromoTips "Bits?"
We REALLY Want to Know!
 Many of you know that FreePromoTips is the industy's most popular business resource, presenting information in a variety of ways. We received an e-mail from a prominent industry figure questioning why a certain distributor company was not featured on a new section of FreePromoTips.com which had not yet to be formally launched. We dubbed this section, “Looking for a New Direction.” This is simply a page that enables someone to get a snapshot of distributor organizations who would love to have quality salespeople join their team. The heart behind this came from my own personal journey. I explain my take on this page.
In addition to being called a “loose cannon” by this well-known industry personality, in our e-mail dialogue, he brought up something else I have done that he found “utterly distasteful.” What was is that you might ask? Well you may be surprised but it’s the kid on a cheese grater slide we used back in 2008. If you missed this piece, click here. We received quite a few comments on this one…mostly favorable. Feel free to add your thoughts. This humorous image was used to draw attention to product safety in our industry.
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Online Price Shopping...Just Another Challenge for our Industry!
I’m a seasoned promotional marketing professional with years of experience. For years I taught education sessions on the value of selling solutions and not products or “stuff.” Today that concept still holds true, but the marketplace has changed.
Let’s be honest. Our clients can and will shop online.
In today’s business environment, occcasionally I feel inclined to do a Goggle search to see what my clients will find. This is happening even with good clients and not just the price shoppers. I hate that, but the reality is that in today’s economy, this is something we all need to consider.
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One of my good industry friends takes off for two months to spend time with his family. What...that's crazy you might think! He is the principal of a Top 50 promotional products company. As we were discussing some things this week, he noted that he leaves Friday for his two month time away. He'll be in a beautiful location fishing with his sons. I so respect his decision to do this. This does come with price, but it also is a clear indication of his values and underscores what is really important in life.
The senior pastor at our church is taking a 3 month sabbatical. He's not fully out of touch. We follow what is doing on Facebook. We even have a "Mini Marty" we can take with us on vacation and follow on the Mini Marty Facebook Fan Page. Our pastor will be taking a family vacation, getting refreshed and focusing on new goals. Some might feel that having the main "preacher" gone from a church that long risky, but this just enables other leaders to step up. I believe the goal is for all staff to take such a break every few years. My take is that this is a sign of health and one of the reasons we thrive as an organization. There is a value to taking a break!
While I would love to take this kind of time off, at this point, it's not possible, but I am taking our traditional week vacation to Hawaii and we love that. The point here again...is take a break! In the end you will actually be more productive. Here is a great article on how to not burn out. As a confessed workaholic, I found the Tips below to be good practical things that we all can benefit from. (Even if we can't take an extended vacation.)
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 Recently, I did the very thing I HATE our clients doing. I shopped online to save a significant amount of money. Using this real world example, I wanted to share the dilemma we face and our customers face when purchasing products.
So...ask the question, what would you do?
For some time I had been lusting for a particular camera. Business starting picking up and I felt the time was right to buy it. I found the camera online at $150.00 less than my local store. The price included free shipping. I enjoy working with my local camera shop, where I have a good relationship. They help educate me and help me be successful in my photography efforts. (Does this parallel what we do for our clients?)
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Catalogs! Isn't There a Better Way? |
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 Recently I gave one of our team members the project of going through our catalogs. Hey...it's May and I figured it was time. It was obvious they were stacking up and each year I ponder the question...isn't there a better way? We receive SO many catalogs!
We receive catalogs from companies we have never done business with and probably will never do business with. We choose to use our preferred suppliers and unless we are looking for something off the beaten path, we're not going to go elsewhere. Why would we?
Sending catalogs costs our supplier partners a fortune...and I wonder how effective that investment really is? It's a company's money to use as they see fit, but might I be so bold as to suggest suppliers only send catalogs to people with whom they have a relationship with?
ISN'T THERE A BETTER WAY?
We want to hear from you on this topic and invite your comments below. Perhaps something productive will come from this discussion.
Here's a suggestion for suppliers...just send a Starbucks card to stimulate new business!
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What Do You REALLY Want in a Trade Show? |
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 In a recent commentary, we covered the new ASI Show in San Diego...providing our commentary and video on this inaugural event.
We received a few comments on the web site and many contacted us directly. Some took issue with one trade show producer and weren't too kind about it. The topic of trade shows are hot in our industry and we think there is much to be said about it. If you missed it, click here to see the story and our video rant on this topic.
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Do We Really Need Another Trade Show? |
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When a NEW trade show was announced in Southern California…you could hear a collective sigh across the country reverberating through our industry. Questions were being asked:
Why another trade show?
Why in this economic season?
Why is this a good idea?
Here is the FreePromoTips take on the ASI Show San Diego
with short video clips and a preview of the new ESP WEB program.
We trust you will be able to get a feel for this inaugural industry event.
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A Paradigm Shift - Part 1 |
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Are We Using Yesterday’s
Tools for Tomorrow’s Business?
“Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine." Robert C. Gallagher
The Paradigm Shift. Whether you believe it or not, the business world is changing. We’ve all seen it. While there are clearly success stories and opportunities, as a whole our industry is facing many challenges. In this economy we are dealing with reduced buying budgets, more price conscious buyers, legislative restrictions, environmental and product safety concerns. These are just a few of the things that affect our livelihoods. Click here for video commentary that introduces this topic.
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In an effort to communicate in a unique way, PromoTips occasionally pushes the envelope. Our last e-mail noted that promotional products are going into the toilet…referring to a urinal screens that can be imprinted to convey a message. This is a product I reported on from the PPAI Expo. If you missed that video, click here to see it.
Of the 8000 people who opened that e-mail, ONE supplier company was offended. So we ask you, did we cross the line by mentioning that promotional products are going in the toilet…when in fact they are? This product is used to convey a variety of important messages and several of our readers are interested in selling this item.
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In our 2008 article on Chinese recalls and product safety issues,
we used the "cheese grater slide image to present a
serious topic in an offbeat way. One reader in the over
10,000 who opened this e-mail was offended.
We ask you for your input on this.
Were we out of line in using this picture?
Was the image in poor taste?
We want to know!
A READER WROTE:
“I think the picture of the child going down the slide shows extremely poor taste as a general awareness/promotional ad. Sending something like that on a personal level in an email as a joke is one thing, but please, it's hardly appropriate for promoting products, services or awareness on a business level. The person who approved this concept needs to be reprimanded. If this is the extent of the creative capacity of your marketing department then please don't bother sending me anymore of this crap.”
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The Industry's Greatest April Fools Prank! |
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Mackay and Johnson Abruptly
Leave Industry Supplier SnugZ!
Salt Lake City, UT – April 1st, 2009 In a shocking move, affable industry personalities, Brandon Mackay and Charley Johnson have unexpectedly left SnugZ to pursue other business opportunities. Citing “irreconcilable differences” the two men were seen recently at a New York hotel following the ASI Show engaged in a bitter argument. Mackay was overhead saying, “I’m tired of acting like things are OK. Every day is like a dog fight in this company!”
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Colliding Worlds in Social Networking! |
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WE INVITE YOU TO CONTIBUTE YOUR INSIGHT TO THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC...
PLEASE COMMENT AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE!
Mixing Your Business and Personal Lives in Social Networking
A commentary by: Jeff Solomon, MAS
I've discovered that it's difficult to keep my business and personal lives separate, so I've resigned myself to the fact that these two elements of my life will collide in social networking situations.
My life is relatively boring so this is not a big deal for me. I'm involved with many social networking groups, but tend to be most active on Facebook, with LinkedIn, Plaxo and Twitter following behind. I have people following me on Twitter, but to date, I've yet to be an active "tweeter." There are only so many hours in the day!
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Your Livelihood is Threatened. What Will You Do About It? |
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Will You Stand Back While Others Try to Make a Difference?
A Message from past PPAI Chair Paul Kiewiet:
As many of you know, there have been an onslaught of issues that came from several directions; a medical association (PhRma), state governments and in Washington - that can have a chilling effect on our industry. What you may not be aware of is just how loudly we must all cry out to our representatives on both a state and national level to make our voices heard.
If you read this and DO NOTHING...when things get worse, remember this warning.
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PPAI Responds to This Threat to Our Industry |
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PPAI Opposes Voluntary PhRMA Code Restricting the Distribution of Medically Relevant Logoed Items
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A FreePromoTips Exclusive! |
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Shanghai, China - Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce firm that is aggressively marketing in the United States, seemingly took another huge step forward by purchasing the rights to Promo35.
Click here for more details on this alarming announcement. |
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Where Were You on September 11, 2001? |
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On September 11, 2001 America was changed forever. Most of you will recall where you were when the shocking news of these terrorist attacks occurred. Our 2007 PPAI Chairman, Paul Kiewiet, MAS was preparing to start his annual Golf Odyssey Conference and End User Show.
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PhRMA Revised Marketing Code |
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PhRMA Revised Marketing Code Reinforces Commitment
Our PromoTip entitled What Do Promotional Products Have in Common With Illegal Hand Guns and Dirty Used Syringes, was just the tip of the iceberg to the alarming direction this assault on promotional product is taking. If you missed it, click here to see that shocking story. It is being suggested that promotional products be banned by the healthcare industry! This action should be a call to defend the very core of our business. See the press release below.
Click here for PPAI's Response to This Attack on Our Industry!
To Responsible Interactions With Healthcare Professionals:
Washington, D.C. (July 10, 2008) - Reflecting the continuing commitment of America's pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies to pursue policies and practices that best serve the needs of patients and the healthcare community, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Board of Directors has adopted measures to enhance the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals.
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